Apparatus and method of thawing and warming baby food

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method of thawing and warming comestible product. The apparatus includes a container having an inlet and an outlet, a handle coupled to the container, and a valve coupled to the container adjacent to the outlet. The valve is operable to control fluid flow through the container. The device also includes a lid coupled to the container. The lid includes at least one aperture in fluid communication with the inlet and allows fluid flow therethrough.

BACKGROUND

Proper thawing and/or warming of baby food and breast milk is necessaryto prevent the food and liquid from reaching a temperature that couldplace the child at risk for burns. Baby food products and breast milkneed additional care when processing and handling.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the invention provides a device for warming baby foodor consumable liquid. The device comprises a container including aplurality of walls, an inlet and an outlet. The device also comprises ahandle coupled to the container, and a valve coupled to the containeradjacent to the outlet. The valve is operable to control fluid flowthrough the container. The device also comprises a lid coupled to thecontainer, the lid including at least one aperture in fluidcommunication with the inlet and allowing fluid flow therethrough.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a device for warming babyfood or consumable liquid. The device comprises a container including aninlet and an outlet, and a valve coupled to the outlet. The valve isoperable to control fluid flow through the container. The device alsocomprises a lid coupled to the container. The lid includes at least oneaperture in fluid communication with the inlet and allowing fluid flowtherethrough. The device also includes an indicator coupled to thecontainer in heat exchange relationship with the fluid flow, theindicator operable to identify a condition of the fluid in thecontainer.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a device for warming babyfood or consumable liquid. The device comprises a container forsupporting a fluid flow therethrough, the container including a frontwall defining an upper edge, a side wall including a protrusion, thefront wall and side wall at least partially forming an inlet, and abottom wall with an outlet therethrough. The device also comprises a lidcoupled to the container adjacent to the inlet. The lid includes a sidewall with an outwardly extending edge engaging at least a portion of theupper edge, and a bottom wall with at least one aperture in fluidcommunication with the inlet. The device also comprises a base includinga tab extending from the first surface, the tab adapted to receive theprotrusion extending from the side wall of the container.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration ofthe detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device for thawing and warming babyfood according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the device for thawing and warming babyfood illustrated in FIG. 1 including a lid and a handle.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the handle illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the lid illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5A is a top view of the lid illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5B is a front view of the lid illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5C is a side view of the lid illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of a container of the deviceillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 7A is a front view of the container illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 7B is a side view of the container illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 7C is a bottom view of the container illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8A is a top perspective view of a valve for use with the deviceillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 8B is a bottom perspective view of the valve illustrated in FIG.8A.

FIG. 9A is a top view of the valve illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B.

FIG. 9B is a side view of the valve illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B.

FIG. 9C is a bottom view of the valve illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B.

FIG. 9D is a front view of the valve illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B.

FIG. 10A is a bottom perspective view of a seal for use with the deviceillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 10B is a side view of the seal illustrated in FIG. 10A.

FIG. 11A is a top perspective view of a base for use with the deviceillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 11B is a bottom perspective view of the base illustrated in FIG.11A.

FIG. 12A is a top view of the base illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B.

FIG. 12B is a front view of the base illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B.

FIG. 12C is a side view of the base illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the device illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2coupled to a faucet.

FIG. 14 is a section view of the device illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the following drawings.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orof being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood thatthe phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of“including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein ismeant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereofas well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, theterms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variationsthereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirectmountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected”and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connectionsor couplings.

Although directional references, such as upper, lower, downward, upward,rearward, bottom, front, rear, etc., may be made herein in describingthe drawings, these references are made relative to the drawings (asnormally viewed) for convenience. These directions are not intended tobe taken literally or limit the present invention in any form. Inaddition, terms such as “first”, “second”, and “third” are used hereinfor purposes of description and are not intended to indicate or implyrelative importance or significance.

FIGS. 1-14 illustrate an apparatus 10 for thawing and warming baby foodand breast milk (collectively referred to herein as “comestibleproduct”) according to one embodiment of the present invention. Theapparatus 10 is adapted to control the flow of a warming liquid (e.g.,water) to thaw and/or warm a sealed container (e.g., sealed container400 in FIG. 14) of the comestible product and supported by the apparatus10.

The apparatus 10 includes a container 12 as illustrated in FIG. 1. Thecontainer 12 is adapted to support the comestible product. Withreference to FIGS. 1 and 6, the container 12 includes a front wall 85and a rear wall 90 connected to the front wall 85 by a first and asecond side wall 95. The front wall 85 and the rear wall 90 include anupper portion 91 having a width greater than a width of a lower portion92 of the front wall 85 and the rear wall 90. The upper portion 91 ofthe front wall 85 and the rear wall 90 gradually widens from a bottom ofthe upper portion 91 to a top of the upper portion 91. The side walls 95each include an upper portion 94 that extends outwardly with respect toa lower portion 96 of the side walls 95. The first and second side walls95 are contoured or rounded from front wall 85 to rear wall 90. Thefront wall 85 and the rear wall 90 also are contoured or roundedslightly as illustrated, such that a top edge 150 of the container issomewhat oval-shaped.

The container 12 also includes a bottom wall 100 connected to the frontwall 85, the rear wall 90, and the first and second side walls 95defining a recess 80. The bottom wall 100 includes a cylindrical wall105 extending from the bottom wall 100 and defining a fluid outlet oraperture 110, as illustrated in FIG. 6.

The container 12 includes two protrusions or nubs 115 each extendingfrom the upper portion 91 of each side wall 95. As illustrated in FIG.7A, each nub 115 includes a neck portion 120 extending from the sidewall 95, and a head portion 125 having a larger diameter than the neckportion 120. The nubs 115 are adapted to receive a strap 15, furtherdescribed below.

The container 12 also includes a recess 320 on the lower portion 96 ofeach of the side walls 95. The recess 320 supports a protrusion 325extending therefrom. The protrusion 325 is adapted to connect to a base,further described below.

The container 12 also includes an aperture 180 adjacent the top edge 150on each of the front wall 85 and the rear wall 90, as illustrated inFIG. 2. The container also includes a display portion 130 having a labelarea 135 and an indicator portion 140. The label area 135 can be used toattach and/or display a label related to the apparatus 10, however,labels also can be attached to other portions of the apparatus 10. Theindicator portion 140 is defined by a recess 145 with the displayportion 130 on the front wall 85 and is adapted to receive an indicator30. The wall thickness of the front wall 85 in the recess 145 isrelatively thinner than the wall thickness of other portions of thewalls 85, 90, 95, 100.

The relatively thinner wall thickness in the recess 145 allows theindicator 30 to be in close heat exchange relationship with the fluidflowing through the container 12. In the illustrated construction, theindicator 30 includes a material sensitive to variations in temperaturesuch that the indicator 30 can display different colorations and/orwords depending on the temperature the indicator 30 is exposed to andsenses. In one example, the indicator 30 can display a white colorationwhen fluid within the container 12 is at room temperature and a redcoloration when the fluid within the container 12 is at a highertemperature. In another example, the indicator 30 can include a firstmaterial not sensitive to temperature change and a second materialsensitive to temperature change. Furthermore, the second material can bemolded, coupled, or mounted to the first material such that when fluidat higher temperature flows through the container 12, the secondmaterial changes coloration causing the indicator 30 to display awarning symbol or lettering.

The apparatus 10 includes a strap 15 as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.The strap 15 is adapted to support the container 12 while hanging from afaucet 405 (illustrated in FIG. 13). The strap 15 includes an elongatedand substantially flat body 50 extending along an axis 52 and is definedby an outer edge 54. The body 50 includes a center portion 55 and twoside portions 60 extending from the center portion 55. The centerportion 55 is contoured or rounded and is generally wider than the twoside portions 60. The strap 15 also includes an elongated opening orslit 65 extending along the axis 52 within the center portion 55. Theslit 65 allows deformation of the center portion 55 of the strap to besupport by and hang from an object, such as the faucet 405.

The strap 15 can also include a plurality of apertures 70 adjacent theslit 65 in the center portion 55. In the illustrated construction, thestrap 15 includes three apertures 70 on each side of the slit 65,however, more or fewer than three apertures 70 can be employed in thestrap 15.

The strap 15 also includes a plurality of apertures 75 extending alongeach of the side portions 60. Each aperture 75 includes a largerdiameter portion 77 and a smaller diameter portion 79, as illustrated inFIG. 3. The apertures 75 are adapted to receive a corresponding nub 115on each of the side walls 95 of the container 12 such that the headportion 125 of the nub 115 can extend through the larger diameterportion 77 so that the smaller diameter portion 79 can support the neckportion 120 of the nub 115 to prevent uncoupling of the strap 15 and thecontainer 12. The plurality of apertures 75 allows the user to select aparticular height of the container 12 with respect to the faucet 405.

The apparatus 10 includes a lid 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4-5C.The lid 20 includes a plurality of side walls 160 integrally formed witha bottom wall 165 to define a recess 166. The plurality of side walls160 include a rim 170 extending around the top periphery thereof. Theplurality of side walls 160 and the rim 170 are complementary shapedwith respect to the container 12 such that the rim 170 is adapted toengage the top edge 150 of the container 12. Two of the side walls 160each include a protrusion 175 adapted to be received by the respectiveapertures 180 in the front wall 85 and the rear wall 90 of the container12. When the lid 20 is coupled to the container 12 (as illustrated inFIG. 13), the rim 170 and the protrusions 175 help support the lid 20 isa stable position with respect to the container 12.

The lid 20 also includes a plurality of apertures 168 in the bottom wall165. In the illustrated construction, the apertures 168 are generallykidney-like shaped and occupy a majority of the surface of bottom wall165. The apertures 168 allow fluid to flow through the lid 20 and intothe container 12. Other constructions of the lid 20 can includeapertures 168 defining other shapes, wherein the area covered by theapertures 168 is a function of the amount of fluid to be allowed to flowthrough the container 12. In other words, the bottom wall 165 caninclude a portion that does not have apertures 168. In addition, someconstructions of the apparatus 10 can include more than one lid 20 suchthat each lid 20 is adapted to allow a specific amount of fluid to flowthrough the container 12. Additionally, other constructions of theapparatus 10 do not require the lid 20.

The lid 20 can also include an indicator 30 having a material sensitiveto variations in temperature such that the indicator 30 can displaydifferent colorations and/or words depending on the temperature theindicator 30 is exposed to and senses. The bottom wall 165 can include arelatively thinner portion than the wall thickness of other portions ofthe bottom wall 165. The indicator 30 is oriented to be in close heatexchange relationship with the fluid flowing through the container 12.In one example, the indicator 30 can display a white coloration whenfluid entering the container 12 is at room temperature and a redcoloration when the fluid entering the container 12 is at a highertemperature. In another example, the indicator 30 can include a firstmaterial not sensitive to temperature change and a second materialsensitive to temperature change. Furthermore, the second material can bemolded, coupled, or mounted to the first material such that when fluidat higher temperature enters the container 12, the second materialchanges coloration causing the indicator 30 to display a warning symbolor lettering.

The apparatus 10 includes a valve 35 as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and8A-9D. The valve 35 is adapted to regulate fluid flow through thecontainer 12. The valve 35 includes a cylindrical wall 190 integrallyformed with a bottom wall 195. The cylindrical wall 190 includes aninside surface 205 having a pair of elongated protrusions 200 extendinginward from the inside surface 205. The elongated protrusions 200 areadapted to slidingly engage the protrusions 185 of the outer surface ofthe cylindrical wall 105 of the container 12 to couple the valve 35 tothe container 12. During use of the apparatus 10, engagement of theprotrusions 185 and 200 of the container 12 and valve 35 allow the valve35 to rotate and change elevation with respect to the container 12, thusregulating the amount of fluid flowing through the container 12.

The bottom wall 195 of the valve 35 includes an upper surface 215, alower surface 220, and a fluid aperture 225 extending through the uppersurface 215 and the lower surface 220. The bottom wall 195 includes aplurality of ribs 230 integrally formed on the lower surface 220 andradially extending around the fluid aperture 225.

The valve 35 also includes a pair of handles 210 extending opposite fromone another from an outer surface of the cylindrical wall 190. Thehandles 210 allow a user to maneuver or rotate the valve 35. However,other constructions of the valve 35 can include different mechanisms tooperate the valve 35 between at least on open position and a closedposition.

The valve 35 includes a seal 40 (illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 10A-10B)supported by the upper surface 215 of the bottom wall 195. The seal 40is positioned between the container 12 and the valve 35. The seal 40includes a substantially flat circular portion 235, an upper nub 238extending from an upper surface 240 of the circular portion 235, and alower nub 245 extending from a lower surface 250 of the circular portion235. The upper nub 238 and the lower nub 245 are each defined by asubstantially cylindrical body and are substantially aligned along anaxis 255 (shown in FIG. 10B). The upper nub 238 includes a lengthgenerally greater than a length of the lower nub 245 as viewed along theaxis 255. The lower nub 245 includes a diameter generally greater than adiameter of the upper nub 238. The lower nub 245 is adapted to bereceived in the aperture 225 of the valve 35.

The apparatus 10 also includes a base 45 as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2and 11A-12C. The base 45 is adapted to support the container 12 in anupright position on a surface 410 as illustrated in FIG. 1. The base 45includes a body 260 having a bottom edge 265, which is contoured suchthat a front section and a rear section of the bottom edge 265 areadapted to contact a supporting surface 410, while the two side sectionsof the bottom edge 265 are elevated from the supporting surface 410.

The base 45 also includes a wall 275 defining an opening 270 within thebase 45. The wall 275 extends around the opening 270 and includes twoextended wall portions 277 at a higher elevation than two lower portions279. The two extended wall portions 277 each includes a substantiallyhorizontal surface 285 oriented in an elevated plane with respect to thehorizontal surfaces 280 of a plane of the two lower portions 279. Thetwo lower portions 279 each include a generally horizontal surface 280oriented toward the front section and the rear section of the base 45.Each of the two horizontal surfaces 280 intersect with a pair of lateralsurfaces 290 of the extended wall portions 277 to define a distance ofmovement of the handles 210 of the valve 35 when positioned within thebase 45. The two horizontal surfaces 280 each include one or moreindicators 305 illustrating a position of the handles 210 of the valve35 indicating a flow rate of the liquid flowing through the container12. For example, the indicators 305 can include one or more symbolsidentifying if the valve 35 is in an open position or a closed position.

The base 45 also includes four tabs 300 each extending from the lateralsurfaces 290 of the extended wall portions 277. The handles 210 areoperable to engage the tabs 300, causing restriction in the rotationalmotion of the valve 35 between an open and a closed position.

The base 45 also includes a pair of support tabs 310 each extendingupward from one of the extended wall portions 277. The support tabs 310each include a centrally located aperture 315 adapted to receivecorresponding protrusions 325 of the container 12.

The user assembles the apparatus 10 by positioning the seal 40 into thevalve 35 so that the smaller nub 245 on the seal 40 is fitted into theaperture 225 of the valve 35 and the longer nub 238 is exposed. Next,the valve 35 is screwed onto the projection 105 of the container 12.Next, the container 12 is positioned on the base 45 so that theprotrusions 325 on the container 12 fit into the apertures 315 on thesupport tabs 310 of the base 45. The flexible handle 15 is coupled tothe container by slipping the protrusions 115 on the container 12through the apertures 75 in the handle 15. The handle 15 is secured bygently tugging the handle 15 upward. Next, the lid 20 is positioned ontothe top of the container 12.

In a method of use of the apparatus 10, the user can test thetemperature of the water from the faucet by running water over the colorchange indicator on the container 12. If the caution warning appears,the water is too hot and should be adjusted to a cooler temperature.After the appropriate temperature of the water is determined, a bottleor bag of frozen or refrigerated comestible product can be positionedwithin the container 12, and the lid 20 can be attached to the container12. It is not necessary to use the lid for items that are taller thanthe container 12. The handle 15 is coupled to a faucet and the apparatus10 can hang therefrom or the apparatus 10 can stand in the sink basin.To hang from a faucet, secure the container 12 by slipping the faucethead through the slit 65 in the handle 15. The water flow can beadjusted with the valve 35 so the water covers the comestible product inthe container 12 entirely, but does not spill over the top of thecontainer 12. For faster heating the handle 210 on the valve 35 can bemoved to an open position and the water left running. For stricter watermanagement, the handle 210 on the valve 35 can be moved to a closedposition, such that the container remains filled with warm water whilethe faucet is turned off. These steps can be repeated as needed. Thesesteps can be altered and the order can be modified as needed.

Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in thefollowing claims.

1. A device for warming baby food or consumable liquid, the devicecomprising: a container including a plurality of walls, an inlet and anoutlet; a handle coupled to the container; a valve coupled to thecontainer adjacent to the outlet, the valve operable to control fluidflow through the container; and a lid coupled to the container, the lidincluding at least one aperture in fluid communication with the inletand adapted to allow fluid flow therethrough.
 2. The device as claimedin claim 1, further comprising an indicator coupled to the lid, theindicator being in heat exchange relationship with the fluid flow, theindicator being operable to identify a condition of the fluid in thecontainer.
 3. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising anindicator coupled to the container, the indicator being in heat exchangerelationship with the fluid flow, the indicator being operable toidentify a condition of the fluid in the container.
 4. The device asclaimed in claim 3, wherein at least one of the walls of the containerincludes a first portion defining a first wall thickness, and a secondportion defining a second wall thickness, the first wall thickness beinggreater than the second wall thickness, and wherein the indicator ispositioned on the second portion.
 5. The device as claimed in claim 1,wherein the container includes a protrusion extending from one of thewalls and operable to engage the handle.
 6. The device as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the container includes a projection defining the outletand extending from one of the walls.
 7. The device as claimed in claim6, wherein the plurality of walls includes a bottom wall coupled to theprojection defining the outlet, and wherein the valve is coupled to theprojection.
 8. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handleincludes a deformable aperture adapted to couple the device to a fluidsource.
 9. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein valve includes aside wall, a bottom wall, and at least one handle extending from theside wall, wherein the at least one handle is operable to adjust thevalve to control fluid flow through the container.
 10. The device asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the lid includes a side wall, a bottom wall,and an outwardly extending lip adapted to engage a top edge of thecontainer.
 11. The device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the side wallof the lid includes a protrusion adapted to engage an aperture of thecontainer.
 12. The device as claimed in claim 10, wherein one of the atleast one apertures in the lid is positioned within the bottom wall ofthe lid and includes a first shape, and wherein another of the at leastone aperture is defined in the bottom wall and includes a second shape,the first shape being different than the second shape.
 13. The device asclaimed in claim 1, further comprising a seal positioned between thevalve and the container, the seal cooperating with the valve to controlfluid flow through the container.
 14. The device as claimed in claim 1,further comprising a base including a first surface defining a firstplane, a second surface defining a second plane, the first planedifferent than the second plane, and a tab extending from the firstsurface.
 15. The device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the containerincludes a front wall, and a bottom wall having a projection definingthe outlet aperture, and wherein the first surface of the base supportsat least a portion of the bottom wall of the container.
 16. The deviceas claimed in claim 14, wherein the container includes a front wall anda bottom wall with a projection defining the outlet aperture, andwherein the valve includes a wall with a handle, and wherein the secondsurface of the base and at least a portion of the bottom wall of thecontainer substantially enclose the handle therebetween.
 17. The deviceas claimed in claim 16, wherein the container includes a protrusionoperable to engage an aperture in the tab of the base, and wherein thetab is adapted to apply pressure on the container to support thecontainer in an upright position.
 18. A device for warming baby food orconsumable liquid, the device comprising: a container including an inletand an outlet; a valve coupled to the outlet, the valve operable tocontrol fluid flow through the container; a lid coupled to thecontainer, the lid including at least one aperture in fluidcommunication with the inlet and allowing fluid flow therethrough; andan indicator coupled to the container in heat exchange relationship withthe fluid flow, the indicator operable to identify a condition of thefluid in the container.
 19. The device as claimed in claim 18, whereinthe container includes a plurality of walls, and wherein at least one ofthe walls includes a first portion defining a first wall thickness and asecond portion defining a second wall thickness, the first wallthickness being greater than the second wall thickness, and wherein theindicator is coupled to the second portion.
 20. The device as claimed inclaim 19, further comprising a flexible handle having an apertureadapted to receive a protrusion extending from one of the walls of thecontainer.
 21. The device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the containerincludes a bottom wall and a projection defining the outlet aperture andextending from the bottom wall.
 22. The device as claimed in claim 18,wherein the valve includes a side wall, a bottom wall, and at least onehandle extending from the side wall and being operable to adjust thevalve to control fluid flow through the container.
 23. The device asclaimed in claim 18, wherein the container includes a bottom wall havingan integral projection defining the outlet aperture, and wherein thevalve is coupled to the projection.
 24. The device as claimed in claim18, wherein the lid includes a side wall, a bottom wall, and anoutwardly extending lip, and wherein the side wall and the bottom wallof the lid are adapted to be received within the inlet of the container.25. The device as claimed in claim 24, wherein the side wall of the lidincludes a protrusion operable to engage an aperture within an upperportion of the container.
 26. The device as claimed in claim 24, whereinone of the at least one aperture is defined in the bottom wall of thelid and includes a first shape, and wherein another of the at least oneapertures is defined in the bottom wall of the lid and includes a secondshape, the first shape being different than the second shape.
 27. Thedevice as claimed in claim 18, further comprising a seal positionedbetween the valve and the container, the seal cooperating with the valveto control fluid flow through the container.
 28. The device as claimedin claim 18, further comprising a base including a first surfacedefining a first plane, a second surface defining a second plane, thefirst plane different than the second plane, and a tab extending fromthe first surface.
 29. The device as claimed in claim 28, wherein thecontainer includes a front wall, and a bottom wall having a projectiondefining the outlet aperture, and wherein the first surface supports atleast a portion of the bottom wall of the container.
 30. The device asclaimed in claim 28, wherein the container includes a front wall and abottom wall having a projection defining the outlet aperture, andwherein the valve includes a side wall with a handle, and wherein thesecond surface of the base and at least a portion of the bottom wall ofthe container substantially enclose the handle therebetween.
 31. Thedevice as claimed in claim 28, wherein the container includes aprotrusion operable to engage an aperture of the tab of the base, andwherein the tab is adapted to apply pressure on the container to supportthe container in an upright position.
 32. The device as claimed in claim18, further comprising a handle coupled to the container.
 33. The deviceas claimed in claim 32, wherein the handle includes a deformableaperture adapted to couple the device to a fluid source.
 34. A devicefor warming comestible product, the device comprising: a container forsupporting fluid flow therethrough, the container including a front walldefining an upper edge, a side wall including a protrusion, the frontwall and side wall at least partially forming an inlet, and a bottomwall having an outlet therethrough; a lid coupled to the containeradjacent to the inlet, the lid including a side wall with an outwardlyextending lip adapted to engage at least a portion of the upper edge ofthe container, and a bottom wall with at least one aperture in fluidcommunication with the inlet; and a base including a tab extending froman upper surface, the tab adapted to receive the protrusion extendingfrom the side wall of the container to support the container in anupright position.
 35. The device as claimed in claim 34, wherein thefront wall includes a first portion defining a first wall thickness, anda second portion defining a second wall thickness, the first wallthickness being greater than the second wall thickness.
 36. The deviceas claimed in claim 35, further comprising an indicator in heat exchangerelationship with the fluid flow, the indicator being operable toidentify a condition of the fluid in the container, and wherein theindicator is coupled to the second portion.
 37. The device as claimed inclaim 36, further comprising a flexible handle coupled to the container.38. The device as claimed in claim 37, wherein the handle includes adeformable aperture adapted to couple the device to a fluid source. 39.The device as claimed in claim 37, wherein the container includes atleast one protrusion extending from the side wall and operable to engagethe handle.
 40. The device as claimed in claim 34, further comprising avalve coupled to the outlet aperture, the valve operable to controlfluid flow through the container.
 41. The device as claimed in claim 40,further comprising a seal positioned between the valve and thecontainer, the seal cooperating with the valve to control fluid flowthrough the container.
 42. The device as claimed in claim 34, whereinthe side wall of the lid includes a protrusion operable to engage anaperture in the front wall of the container.
 43. The device as claimedin claim 34, wherein one of the at least one apertures of the lid isdefined within the bottom wall of the lid and includes a first shape,and wherein another of the at least one apertures is defined in thebottom wall of the lid and includes a second shape, the first shapebeing different than the second shape.
 44. The device as claimed inclaim 34, wherein the base includes a first surface defining a firstplane and a second surface defining a second plane, the first planedifferent than the second plane, and wherein the tab extends from thefirst surface.
 45. The device as claimed in claim 44, further comprisinga valve having a side wall with a handle extending therefrom, andwherein the second surface of the base and at least a portion of thebottom wall of the container substantially enclose the handletherebetween.